LEGAL NEWS
India Modernises Maritime Laws with Two Key Bills in 2025
• Parliament passed two major maritime reforms — the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 and Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025 — replacing outdated laws from 1925 and 1958.
• The Merchant Shipping Bill introduces 16 Parts and 325 clauses, aligning with IMO standards to boost sea safety, seafarer welfare, and environmental protections.
• It also aims to cut red tape, enhance emergency response, and promote Indian tonnage growth, making maritime compliance smoother and more efficient.
• The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill adopts the Hague-Visby Rules, clarifying cargo responsibilities and reducing legal disputes in maritime trade.
• This Bill brings India’s maritime trade rules in line with global norms, enhancing transparency, boosting global trust, and attracting foreign shipping investment.
• Both laws aim to position India as a modern maritime nation, improving its image as a reliable global trade hub with strong legal and regulatory backing.
• These reforms support sustainable shipping growth, strengthen sectoral governance, and help India fulfill its international maritime obligations.
NATIONAL NEWS
India to Participate as Guest of Honour at Bogota Book Fair 2026
• India has been invited as the Guest of Honour for the 38th edition of the Bogota International Book Fair (FILBo), taking place from April 21 to May 4, 2026, in Bogotá, Colombia.
• The formal announcement was made with the presence of top Colombian dignitaries, including the Minister of Culture, FILBo Director, and Corferias President, among others.
• Ambassador Vanlalhuma, representing India, expressed appreciation for the honour and stressed the role of literature in enhancing bilateral cultural relations.
• FILBo, a major Spanish-language literary fair, has been co-organized by the Colombian Book Chamber and Corferias since its inception in 1988.
• The fair is known for being a comprehensive platform for global literary professionals, including authors, publishers, editors, translators, and booksellers.
• In 2025, India’s National Book Trust participated in the 37th edition of the fair, showcasing a diverse collection of Indian literature.
• The 2026 edition is seen as a key opportunity to strengthen literary and cultural exchanges, boosting visibility for Indian authors and publishers on an international stage.
STATE NEWS
Grand Sita Temple to Rise in Punaura Dham, Bihar
• A majestic temple for Goddess Sita will be built at Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi, Bihar, with its foundation laid on 8 August by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and CM Nitish Kumar.
• The Bhoomi Pujan ceremony was attended by saints, scholars, and priests from Banaras and Mithila regions.
• The temple will be spread across 50 acres, with an estimated cost of ₹883 crore, funded and supported by the Bihar government.
• Its architectural design will take inspiration from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, blending tradition with grandeur.
• A trust named Shri Janaki Janmabhoomi Punaura Dham Mandir Nyas Samiti has been formed to oversee the temple's construction and operations.
• The project aims to boost spiritual tourism and promote cultural heritage in the Mithila region.
• To mark the occasion, the Sitamarhi–New Delhi Amrit Bharat Express was also flagged off, enhancing direct rail connectivity to the temple town.
UP Launches Atal Bihari Vajpayee-Chevening Scholarship for UK Education
• The UP Cabinet has cleared the “Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee-Chevening Scholarship”, aimed at sending top students from the state to the UK for higher studies.
• Under the scheme, five meritorious students annually will get the opportunity to pursue a one-year master’s degree at reputed UK universities.
• This initiative is a joint collaboration between the Uttar Pradesh government and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
• The scholarship covers tuition, research, exam fees, monthly living allowance, and round-trip air travel.
• The state government will fund ₹23 lakh per student, while the remaining costs will be covered by the FCDO.
• The first batch starts in 2025–26, and the program will run for three years, with potential extension subject to approval by March 30, 2028.
• A transparent selection process will be followed as per the MoU guidelines, ensuring fairness and merit-based awards.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
China Advances Manned Lunar Mission with First Lander Test
• China successfully tested its lunar lander "Lanyue", a key step toward sending astronauts to the moon before 2030.
• The trial took place at a Hebei-based lunar simulation site, featuring moon-like soil reflectivity, rocks, and craters to test ascent and descent systems.
• Lanyue, meaning "embrace the moon", is designed to transport astronauts between lunar orbit and surface, while serving as their habitat, energy source, and data center.
• This milestone boosts China’s ambitious manned lunar exploration program, following a series of uncrewed missions that collected samples from both sides of the moon.
• The International Lunar Research Station, planned by China and Russia, aims to be operational by 2035, featuring a nuclear-powered facility on the moon.
• China’s lunar progress has caught the attention of NASA, ESA, and space agencies from Pakistan and Thailand, sparking interest in global lunar partnerships.
• Meanwhile, NASA’s Artemis mission is set to fly astronauts around the moon in 2026, with a surface landing targeted for 2027.
